Private 4-Hour In Depth Walking Tour to the Forbidden City

Name: Private 4-Hour In Depth Walking Tour to the Forbidden City
Brand: Catherine Lu Tours
SKU: 37561P9
Price: 90.00 USD
Rating: 5.0 (198 reviews)

Beijing, China

Private 4 Hour Walking Tour to Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

Special Offer

From $90.00

$100.00 Save $10.00

Price varies by group size

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

4 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Tick off two of China's most iconic sights during this in-depth tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Your guide will greet you at your downtown hotel and accompany you to the center, either on foot or by metro or rideshare (at your expense). Listen to detailed commentary as you tour one of the world’s best-preserved imperial palaces and the largest public square in the world.

A guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, with tickets
Listen to fascinating background on the former residence of China’s emperors
See Qianmen, the Monument of the People's Heroes, and more
Travel like a local: pickup is on foot, by metro, or by taxi (own expense)

What's Included

Private guide service fee (4 hours)
Reserve entry to the Tian'anmen Square
Entrance ticket to the Forbidden City

Transportation to the Forbidden City
Meals (lunch & dinner)
Gratuity (for good service)
Transportation (hotel drop off)
Hotel Pick-up within 4th ring road (transportation to the Tian'anmen Square probably costs $50)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel within 4th ring road. or at the designated hotel called Grand hotel near the Square or at the capital airport with this option. Then you will take the public transportation or taxi on your own cost or just walk to the Tian'anmen Square. Please book the tour one week before the travel date, otherwise we cannot guarantee that you will be able to get the tickets to the Forbidden City, thanks.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Children must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code is smart casual
Please note: Forbidden City is closed every Monday, except the Chinese public holidays
Extra fee will be requested after 4 hours tour
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

198 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 198 reviews

Great Tour

Charlotte_W, May 2024

Joe was an excellent guide, he made sure we knew where to meet him and then gave us lots of information about the forbidden city and tianamen square. Takes the stress out of securing tickets with fast track guide access through all security points.

nice english guided Forbidden City tour

Weigang_L, Apr 2024

Forbidden City entry tickets were very hard to get. Catherine tours were able to book for our 1st choice. our guide, Jenny, were very knowledgeable, she met us at our hotel, and was very descriptive for the whole trip.

Great tour when you are eager to learn about China’s history

Ranah_S, Apr 2024

Kathy, our guide, was very knowledgeable and her English was also very good. It was such a joy to learn from her. We recommend the company that she works for. Which is Catherine Lu Tours and we definitely recommend Kathy as a guide

A must do !

Gildas_L, Apr 2024

Very good tour of the Forbidden City, with a very good guide having an excellent level of French language. Entrance tickets are difficult to get, and after an initial unsuccessful attempt the tour operator managed to make it work which I was grateful for. A great visit of a magnificent and very interesting monument !

Forbidden City private tour

YingYing_L, Apr 2024

Our private guide Justin Wan from Catherine Lu Tours is great in sharing the nuances of historical events happened in the ancient Forbidden City while he took us around for the tour. We enjoyed it a lot!

Enjoyable Trip.

Lilian_C, Apr 2024

We had an enjoyable tour in the forbidden city. Our guide, Rita is knowledgeable on the history of the forbidden city that makes our trip very informative. We are very happy with her services.

Unforgettable forbidden city tour & ticket private package

Jonathan_G, Apr 2024

Xiexie Sonnie/ Sonia for an unforgettable forbidden city private tour! Sonia managed to get us entrance tickets despite it being a holiday. She knew all the best phot spots and shortcuts to make sure the top sights could be experienced in just a half day tour without feeling rushed. I’m a teacher and can say her English was simply perfect, she was able to explain the deep history of China and share cultural insights. Afterwards she waited until I was safely in a taxi onto my next adventure. Treated totally like a VIP, so thanks again for a 5 star experience

Lily was a great guide,...

Philipp_S, Apr 2024

Lily was a great guide, fluently German speaking, she gave us interesting historical background and stories of the Tianamen Square and Forbidden City. We were picked up at the hotel and went together to the sights. Absolutely recommend to take a guide since tickets will be prepared and you’ll pass the long line through a separate entrance with the guide, worth and you save a lot of time and nerves ;) Very convenient, especially with kids to avoid waiting for hours in the ticket and entrance line.

Amazing experience with Sonia!

Paulina_L, Apr 2024

The experience with Sonia was great! she has great knowledge about the place and is willing to share the extra just so that you get the most of this experience. She is very passionate about the history and culture in China, and that excitement makes you enjoy even more the time with her. Wouldn’t have second thoughts about booking another tour with her! She even helped me later booking an entry ticket to other places, which was difficult to do on my own because I do not speak the language…Do not hesitate to book the experience with Sonia! She is just the best!

Highly Recommend! Best way to see and understand the Imperial City

SEAN_C, Mar 2024

Jenna was an amazing and knowledgeable guide! Best way to experience Beijing, and truly learn the history!

Fantastic Forbidden City Tour

Paul_B, Mar 2024

Justin was a great tour guide - very knowledgeable and relaxed and we went at a good speed for me - he knew when to move on and when to stop and explain more - a must see place

Amazing Grace

nina_p, Mar 2024

My tour guide for the day was Grace and she was absolutely wonderful. As I was on the tour by myself she made me feel so comfortable. She was full of knowledge and taught me so much, and gave me the best day. Thank you Grace!

Efficient and interesting tour of Beijing

Christine_Y, Mar 2024

We had a wonderful experience touring Beijing (Temple of Heaven, hutongs, and Tiananmen Square) with our guide Jenny. We originally bought tickets for the Forbidden City, but the tour company was not able to arrange them for us because we did not give sufficient time, so please book the Forbidden City tour with plenty of time in advance! We went to the Temple of Heaven as an alternate, and we learned about the architecture and the rituals performed there. We learned about the buildings in Tiananmen Square, and we skipped the general security line which was very long!! I highly recommend booking this tour if you do not want to wait for hours in that line.

Amazing guide

Louise, Mar 2024

Peter is an exceptional tour guide who truly brought the history and beauty of the Forbidden City to life. His passion for the subject matter was evident from the moment we met him, and his extensive knowledge of the site was truly impressive. Throughout the tour, Peter engaged us with fascinating stories and historical anecdotes that made the Forbidden City come alive in a way that we could have never imagined. His explanations were clear, insightful, and delivered with enthusiasm, making the experience both educational and entertaining. Peter's friendly and approachable demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere that allowed us to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussions about the history and significance of the Forbidden City. His professionalism and attention to detail ensured that every aspect of the tour was well-planned and executed flawlessly. Thanks to Peter, our visit to the Forbidden City was not just a sightseeing tour, but a memorable and enriching experience that we will cherish for years to come. I would highly recommend Peter as a tour guide to anyone looking to explore the wonders of the Forbidden City with an expert who is truly passionate about sharing its history and significance.

A fantastic experience

Simon_Q, Feb 2024

An all-around great experience. Good communication, lots of learning, and efficient (e.g. skipping ticket lines). Our guide Jenny was fantastic. She was punctual, knowledgeable, and courteous. She was experienced in our destinations, but also in the city. Communication was easy, and she was great at giving options when we needed to make small changes to our plan. Highly recommend!

Great Tour for a depht view!

Pierre_P, Feb 2024

Due to the public holidays in Beijing, we changed the tour and visited Tian'anmen Square and the Summer Palace. It was no problem to change the plan. The tour guide was very friendly and told us lots of interesting details and stories about the two squares. In total, we were on the road for just under 4:20 hours and it was well worth it. Thank you!

Great tour. Would recommend

Jeremiah_T, Jan 2024

I highly recommend taking a tour with Wendy through Catherine lu tours. Wendy was very helpful and considerate. Wendy knew lots of history of the location. We walked at a nice pace and was able to see everything I want to. Wendy also went above and beyond to help me after the tour too. If you book this try to request for Wendy.

Excellent and Wonderful!

Heriberto_C, Jan 2024

Angela, who was our English-speaking guide for this tour, is amazing. She was so knowledgeable of the history behind the Emperors in the Palace and entertain us with a lot of stories. She also gave us information of the meaning of roof colors, animal figures, lucky numbers and other symbols. Going to the Tiananmen Square and Forbidden city without a tour guide will leave you empty with meaningful information that will help you understand at least some of the history behind Chinese Emperors and their daily life. Thanks to Angela this was an excellent tour to remember.

Beijing Sightseeing

Dina_T, Jan 2024

We visited Tiananmen Square, Imperial City Wall Relics Park, and Temple of Heaven. Catherine Lu was our guide and she was very knowledgeable and an absolute joy to be with along our journey!